Jail for man who racially abused Polish taxi driver

A MAN has been sent to prison for two years after a string of violent and racially aggravated crimes.

Adam Bowman, aged 23 of How Street, The Barbican, pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm, racially-aggravated criminal damage and theft when he appeared at Plymouth Crown Court yesterday.

Bowman pleaded guilty to racially abusing a Polish man, smashing up his taxi and threatening to kill foreigners on June 15.

Alistair Verheijen, for the Crown Prosecution Service, said that during attack Bowman also jumped on the bonnet and roof of the car while punching the windscreen.

The damage caused was £1,100 and in his statement the victim said the incident left him feeling "frightened and upset" and that he "could have been assaulted if the police did not attend".

Bowman also admitted stealing two bottles of cider worth £8.38 on June 15, and to failing to surrender police bail on July 10.

Jason Beal, for Bowman, said the defendant started drinking "copious amounts" at the age of 13. He said: "It's a sad and depressing feature how a child can get addicted to alcohol and it ruin their life in the way it quite clearly has here."